Table of Contents Lakes in North India ........................................................................................... 2-8 Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh ...................................................................................... 2 Dal Lake, Srinagar .................................................................................................. 6 Lakes in South India ......................................................................................... 9-14 Bellandur Lake, Bangalore ..................................................................................... 9 Vembanad Lake, Kerala ....................................................................................... 12 Lakes in West India ........................................................................................ 15-21 Poai Lake, Muai…………………………………………………………………………………………15 Pashan Lake, Pune……………………………………………………………………………………………. Lakes in North-East India ............................................................................... 22-28 Deepor Beel, Assam…………………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Loktak Lake, Maipu…………………………………………………………………………………………26 * Satellite Images from Google Earth Lakes in India Page 1 LAKES IN NORTH INDIA Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh Site Name: Sukhna Lake Region: North India Location: Punjab Coordinates: 30°44'31.70" N 76°49'07.52" E Characteristics: Located in the north east corner of Chandigarh city, the lake was conceptualized and created by Le Corbusier and Chief Engineer P.L.Verma in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. It is a manmade lake whose northern boundary is adjoining to the Shiwalik Hills. The lake is 1.52 km long and 1.49 km wide with storage capacity of 1,074 ha m (hectare meters) of water (Dhillion and Mishra 2013: 470). The submergence area is 228 ha (565 acres) at a maximum lake level of 353.57 m (1,160 ft) above mean sea level(msl) with maximum flood level being at 354.02 m (1,161 ft) above msl (Singh 2002 : 18). In 1958 after Sukhna Lake was completed, the Lakes in India Page 2 water spread area of the lake was 188 ha, the average depth was 4.69 m with deepest point at 343.2 m (1,126 ft) above msl (ibid.) According to Singh (ibid.) total catchment area of Sukhna Lake is 4,027 ha. And 76.4% of this lies in hilly forest catchment of Kansal, Nepali and Ghareri streams in the Shivaliks where the average slop is of 30°. However, due to lower rainfall in previous years and detrimental catchment activities, there has been accumulation of silt and excessive growth of weeds, which is an indication of eutrophication process in the lake (Chaudhry et.al 2013: 27). Flora and Fauna In Sukhna Lake Typha, Hydrocharitaceae and Ceratophyllaceae growing in water are noticeable (Singh 2003: 23). More than 100 species of flowering plants are located in the catchment area which alongwith grasses and sedges grow on the lake margins. In addition to this, trees, bushes and other herbaceous elements are also present in the area around the lake (ibid.). Sukhna Lake serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds like Siberian duck, Storks and Cranes during winter season and has been declared as a protected national wetland by the government of India (Dhillon and Mishra 2013: 470). Around 150 different species of birds have been identified in the Sukhna Wetland Bird Sanctuary and around 30 species are residents and the rest are migratory (Singh 2002: 23). At Kansal Khol Reserved Forest deers, wild bear, spotted deer, jackal, Indian mangoose and wild cats can be seen often (ibid.). According to Singh, pissiculture is the primary economic activity associated with the lake and as per government data, the annual fish catch in 1990 was 37 tons. Thrice a year fish seeds of dozen different varieties of fishes is introduced in the lake to maintain balanced ecology (ibid.). Present Status of Sukhna Lake According to studies by Dhillon and Mishra (2013), Sukhna Lake has been in a Hypereutrophic condition since 2000. As per satellite data and in-situ observations, the lake has undergone severe degradation. There is high growth of weeds and plantation on the lake due to heavy siltation which has contributed significantly to degradation of the lake (Dhillion and Mishra 2013: 470). Burning of forests, deforestation and over-grazing increased the peak discharge of run off by 69 %, 34 % and 32 % (Singh 2002) which has further aggravated the siltation problem (Dhillion and Mishra 2013: 473). Additionally, according to Dhillion and Mishra, as the lake is rain fed, with no alternative sources of water, it dries out during peak summer season of May and June. The lake has boating and rowing facilities, with about 1,000 to 1,500 tourists visiting the lake weekdays and 2,500 to 3,000 on weekends for boating. The lake is also a popular venue for many cultural events being held in the city (Chaudhry et.al 2013: 27). However, in December 2014, the lake premises were Lakes in India Page 3 sealed from the public after a sample of dead geese tested positive for H5N1 virus. After preliminary precautions, access to the lake was re-opened for the public in March 2015. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, September 2006. Image by Anannya Deb. Citizen’s Action The Save Sukhna Forum was formed around 10 years back to advise the administration on maintaining the water levels and activity at the lake. However, their recommendations have not been heeded. Comprising of engineers, soil and water conservation experts, the forum prepared a report to save the lake which was submitted to the UT Administrator two years ago, to which they still have not received a response. Lakes in India Page 4 References Aad ″ua Patel , Chadigah's “ukha Lake ‘eopes Moth Afte Bid Flu “ae, NDTV, January 19, 2015. Available at http://www.ndtv.com/chandigarh-news/chandigarhs-sukhna-lake- reopens-month-after-bird-flu-scare-729298 (accessed on November, 2015). Aoous , Bid flu sae shuts do Chadigah's touist attatio -- “ukha Lake, Mid Day, 5 Jan. Available at http://www.mid-day.com/articles/bird-flu-scare-shuts-down-chandigarhs-tourist- attraction----sukhna-lake/15890185 (accessed on November 2015). Dadal, J., A. Bhataga ad “. ″ua , Assesset of Phsioheial ad Bacteriological Paaetes of “ukha Lake i Chadigah, Idia, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Volume 3 Issue 9, September 2014. Dhillio , J. ad A.″. Misha , Estiatio of Tophi “tate Ide of “ukha Lake Usig ‘eote Sensig ad GI“, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, (June 2014) 42(2):469–474. Kapoor, J. (2015), Uaisatio alog “ukha Lakes peiphe eeds hek: “ “ Vidi, The Indian Express, 2 November. Available at http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/urbanisation- along-sukhna-lakes-periphery-needs-check-s-s-virdi/ (accessed on November 2015). “igh, Yadide . “iltatio poles i “ukha Lake i Chadigah NW Idia ad Coets o Geohydrological Changes in the Yamuna- “atluj ‘egio. ENVIS Bulletin: Himalayan Ecology and Development, 10(2). Lakes in India Page 5 LAKES IN NORTH INDIA Dal Lake, Srinagar Site Name: Dal Lake Region: North India Location: Jammu and Kashmir Coordinates: 34°06'38.11" N 74°52'05.70" E Characteristics: Situated in northeast of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, Dal Lake is the second largest lake in J&K. Located 584 m. above MSL, the lake is formed from the oxbows of river Jhelum. It covers about 21.1 km2, has a depth of 5.4 m and a shoreline of 15.4 km. Mountains from three sides surround the lake and has a mountainous catchment spread of 316 km2 (Gopal, B. et al.2010: 36). Dal Lake is a multi basin lake where basins are interconnected with navigation routes in the shape of intertwined waterways. Water levels are maximum in April and minimum in November. The main source of water for the lake is the Telbal Nalla in the Dachigam area which contributes 90% of the water Lakes in India Page 6 (National Wetland Atlas: Jammu and Kashmir 2010: 120). When large rainfall occurs in monsoon season, snow melts in the higher catchment which results in high discharge from Dachigam and Dara Nallah which goes into Dal Lake. In addition, there are numerous springs within the lake which contribute water to the lake. The outflow of the lake is on the western side into Jhelum and water flows out through a weir-and-lock system at Dal Gate (ibid.). A small canal connects the Nagin basin of the Dal Lake with Anchar Lake and acts as an additional outflow channel called Nallah Ameer Khan. Flora and Fauna As per data available with Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton natans, and Nelumbonucifera are the predominant aquatic species. One hundred and sixty seven taxa representing six classes of algae have been recorded. There is a dominance of Bacilloriophyceae and Chlorophyceae. (National Wetland Atlas: Jammu and Kashmir 2010: 120). Floating gardens spread from Hazratbal to Garibal basins and are used to cultivate vegetables (Gopal, B. et al.2010: 36). The fishing industry on Dal Lake is central to livelihoods of people who reside near the lake. However, the introduction of carp in Dal lake and excessive growth of vegetable crops on floating gardens leading to algal blooms, have all led to a decline and destruction of the breeding grounds of schizothorax, a local fish species (Qureshi, Neha W. and M. Krishnan 2015: 66). Present Status of Dal Lake Dal Lake a famous tourist attraction with large number of gardens and orchards been developed along the shores of the lake. The water quality of Dal Lake has deteriorated considerably in the last three decades because of changes close to its banks and also in the catchment. A road was laid along the southwest part which separated a large part of the lake creating marshy areas along the fringes of Shankaracharya and Zabarwan mountains (Jain, S et al 2007: 978). This marshy land was developed into residential and commercial complexes. As a result of tourism, there has been an increase in number of residential buildings, restaurants and along the lakefront, alongwith an increase in the number of houseboats. According to certain estimates, there are close to 60,000 people residing in the patches of land in the lake.